1700 miles from the comfort and security of our Midwest Home, there was a man who reached out to our son his first year as a Track Athlete. Ben Ward inspired both us and our son with his keen interest in the success of all those whom he came to know. He was a philosopher of life, a charged motivator, a brilliant creator, a genius and beloved by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Ben's joy of life was not to be tempered by his medical diagnosis and as he plunged forward, he showed us all to focus on what can be accomplished rather than what has been denied. Our final visit with this man of intrigue was to welcome him warmly to Wisconsin in October 2013 and allow him to share a Green Bay Packer football game; his first NFL game ever. He was not about to cave in to weakened mobility or any discomfort. What a privilege it was to host Ben, transform him into a Packer Cheesehead for an afternoon, and listen to all his personal stories over and over again at the dinner tables. Ben Ward, your Wisconsin family treasures your memory and graciously acknowledges the tremendously positive impact you have had on young lives, but more importantly that of our son. God Bless You. We will always hear your words of wisdom and beautiful music in our everyday lives.